BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care
Are you interested in people? Do you wonder about the individuals who make up our society? Do you think about the different lives they have and the various forms of support and care they need? If so, then a qualification in Health and Social Care could be for you.
Why choose this course?
If you prefer to keep your options open and do not wish to commit to a full-time Health and Social Care Extended Diploma, then this could be the course for you. The Level 3 Extended Certificate is taken as part of an A Level programme, where you study the course alongside three other A Levels. As the topics in health and social care are so wide-ranging, it would work with many different combinations of A Levels, whether you are interested in the humanities or sciences, or a mixture of subjects.
Apply for this course
Start date: 08/09/2025
Top course highlights
Experienced tutors
Industry-standard facilities
Current Practice
Industry links
Enthusiastic team
You will be taught by staff with a wide range of experience. Our Level 3 team are committed to ensuring you have the most enjoyable and successful academic journey whilst joining our curriculum area.
Tailored units
The units you undertake are designed to give you the most up to date understanding of working in the Health and Social Care sector with one unit designed to be tailored to overall occupational progression choices.
Dedicated support
You will have the opportunity to work independently whilst supported by a sector expert in researching your chosen career path and will have tailored support for externally assessed units.
What will I learn?
On the Extended Certificate, you will study 4 units that will be assessed through a combination of exams and coursework:
- Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development considers factors that affect the development of individuals at different points in life, from birth to later adulthood.
- Unit 2: Working in Health and Social Care explores what it is like to actually work in the sector including the roles and responsibilities of workers and organisations.
- Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs looks at the principles and practicalities that underpin meeting individuals’ care and support needs, which are the foundation of all the care disciplines.
- You will take a fourth optional unit from a range of occupational specialisms that are offered by the Health and Social Care Team. This fourth unit is carefully chosen each year from a range of four optional units and therefore dependent upon overall occupational progression choices on a year on year basis.
Where will it take me?
The final qualification (once all 4 units are completed) is equivalent to one A Level and is well regarded by Higher Education institutions for progression. Students who have entered Higher Education have gone on to study Nursing, Midwifery, Teaching, and many other degrees. Students could also enter employment in a range of allied health care professions such as nutrition and dental nursing.
Assessment arrangements
Assessment is continuous throughout the course and consists of a range of internal and external tasks including externally assessed exams and written assignments.
Entry requirements
Four GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. This must include GCSE English or a Humanities subject at Grade 5 and/or Maths at Grade 5 or above.
Meet the staff, tour the campus and find out about life as a student at one of the best colleges in the country.
What you could earn
Potential Salary
£29,114
Entry Level Salary
£9,236
Average Salary
£22,123
Annual openings in Cornwall
8
Potential Salary
£70,754
Entry Level Salary
£27,798
Average Salary
£47,700
Annual openings in Cornwall
16
Potential Salary
£51,259
Entry Level Salary
£21,243
Average Salary
£38,074
Annual openings in Cornwall
27
Potential Salary
£37,924
Entry Level Salary
£9,803
Average Salary
£26,392
Annual openings in Cornwall
32
Potential Salary
£78,176
Entry Level Salary
£19,542
Average Salary
£33,767
Annual openings in Cornwall
12
Potential Salary
£36,294
Entry Level Salary
£8,678
Average Salary
£23,941
Annual openings in Cornwall
143
Potential Salary
£39,182
Entry Level Salary
£12,878
Average Salary
£25,063
Annual openings in Cornwall
40
Potential Salary
£34,166
Entry Level Salary
£6,628
Average Salary
£20,724
Annual openings in Cornwall
